Supermarket

All Chappaqua wanted for Christmas is finally here. Hundreds packed a sparkling Whole Foods Market this morning following an 8:40 a.m. grand opening ceremony. When the doors officially opened at 9, a group of employees cheered as the ‘first customers’ filed in.

The wine and beer tasting bar is a popular feature at the Millwood location. PHOTO BY STACEY PFEFFER

Before you even enter the DeCicco & Sons supermarket in Millwood, you’ll notice that things are done differently at this grocery store. The shopping carts are lined up orderly, each one gleaming with wheels that glide smoothly along the immaculate floors. The outside display features seasonal mums attractively lined up. As soon as you step inside, you can see fresh-cut flower bouquets and a beautiful bounty of the freshest produce with many products purchased in partnerships with local farms. It’s an attention to detail and an emphasis on quality first that puts this beloved supermarket at the heart of the community.

It all began with John DeCicco Sr. who started his career working in the food industry as a 12-year-old immigrant from Calabria, Italy. As a part-time employee in a fruit store on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, John Sr. honed an appreciation for quality products and customer service. When the opportunity came up to purchase a bankrupt supermarket in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx in 1972, he jumped at that prospect and began purchasing other supermarkets with family members. Today there are currently seven DeCicco & Sons store in Westchester and his sons John Jr. and Chris play an integral role in the management and operations of all locations.

A Commitment to Health

The family cares deeply not only about the quality of the products available but also about improving their customer’s health. They have revamped all of their prepared items and are eliminating vegetable oil and corn oil replacing it with olive oil. They use sea salt instead of regular salt without compromising on taste and that’s just the beginning. All of their meats (chicken, pork and beef) in their prepared items are antibiotic and hormone-free and purchased from local farms. They try to source wild fish and fresh fish (not frozen or farmed). They also have relationships with local farms to secure in-season produce.

Customer Service is King

The DeCicco family places a premium on customer service, which is evident to any shopper that enters the store. The cashiers are friendly and courteous and the staff goes out of their way to help customers looking for products. “We only take 15-20% of employees that apply for jobs and we have an intensive training process where we emphasize customer service. We are on top of customer service every day. It’s not something you can let go,” explained John Jr. The family is also dedicated to improving employee satisfaction and regularly conducts surveys and meetings to ensure that any staff concerns are addressed.

Giving Back to the Community

“We live in these communities ourselves so we always want to do the right thing,” explains John DeCicco Jr. And indeed they do by supporting many philanthropic causes over the years. The stores have a community school rebate program, which donates 1% of pre-taxed sales to local PTAs and allows them to allocate funds appropriately. Customers at the Millwood location can stop by customer service and link their reward card to the Chappaqua PTA. The DeCicco family also supported a breast cancer walk at Manhattanville last month. In addition, they donate 250 Thanksgiving meals to local families in need annually.

Creating a “Green “Supermarket

After receiving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Platinum Green Chill Certification for their Larchmont location, they knew they wanted to install a similar HSF-free refrigeration system in the Millwood store, which would use less electricity and less reliance on fossil fuels than traditional supermarket refrigeration systems. But first they needed a complete gut renovation of the former A & P store. Construction began on August 20th last year and the store opened on December 30, 2016. “The town was very supportive and it was the quickest we had ever done a store. The supermarket is “green” as can be” and also received the EPA’s highest certification: the Platinum Level Green Chill Certification. “The fact that we are doing this as an independent grocery store is remarkable- Whole Foods only has one in the whole state!” noted John DeCicco Jr.

Heaven for Beer Lovers

“Everyone in the Hudson Valley knows if you want good beer, you go to DeCiccos,” exclaims Chris. The family got into craft beers early in the 1990s before it was a trend.

“The industry has grown as we have grown. We have the biggest selection,” Chris continues. The family imports a lot of beer from Europe and they have great relationships with brewers. In fact, they are so well-known and knowledgeable about the beer industry that Chris was recently inducted as an honorary knight in Belgium in a 13th century tradition called the Knighthood of the Brewers’ Mash Staff that took place at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. The hour- long ceremony includes two priests and a bishop consecrating a cask of beer. The DeCicco family was all in attendance to watch this great honor.

PHOTO COURTESY OF “Belgian Brewers-Lander Loeckx”

Distinct Features & Thanksgiving Offerings

Although there are several DeCicco & Sons supermarkets throughout Westchester each supermarket has distinct features and the Millwood location features a beer and wine tasting bar and dining area that is a popular spot for lunch. The fresh sushi bar is a hit with customers. In addition the store offers full-service catering which is helpful for the upcoming holiday season.

With the holiday season arriving shortly, the Inside Press had to inquire about what Thanksgiving is like at the DeCicco family’s celebration. “Thanksgiving in our home features a 25-30 pound turkey, stuffed artichokes, Italian antipasto, and an insane amount of pies and desserts. We make a traditional American Thanksgiving with an Italian flair,” said John DeCicco Jr. Envision all the traditional Thanksgiving items combined with scrumptious Italian delicacies such as roasted peppers with mozzarella, stuffed artichokes and antipasti. And to top it off a dessert table to envy with pies and cakes galore. Customers can replicate a DeCicco Thanksgiving feast simply by calling their catering department and placing an order. For additional information, please visit: www.deciccoandsons.com.

Stacey Pfeffer is the editor of Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines.

The end of the year Grand Opening of DeCicco’s in Millwood is THE talk of the town this week, and very good news for New Castle residents long anticipating the opening of a supermarket in the area. Meanwhile, the DeCiccos are pulling out all the stops and are as excited as any New Castle resident.

“It’s the perfect community for us to expand to,” stated John DeCicco, Jr., in a joint release from the Town of New Castle and the DeCicco family this morning. “John Jr.” is the President of the award-winning DeCicco & Sons chain of family-run supermarkets.

He pointed out that the Milllwood location marks the seventh store for the DeCicco family, and proudly pointed out “the advanced environmental-friendly technologies which are proudly setting the standards of ‘clean & green’ supermarkets throughout the country.”

Some facts if you are planning to stop by tomorrow’s opening of the new DeCicco’s:

The 20,000 square foot store is located at the Millwood Shopping Center on Saw Mill River Road at Routes 100 & 133, Millwood is the “sister hamlet” of Chappaqua, part of the Town of New Castle.

And more, here, per the release (this story will be updated with original coverage following the grand opening):

Stated DeCicco “This is a true team effort made possible by the incredible assistance and hard work from Town of New Castle Supervisor Rob Greenstein, Deputy Supervisor Adam Brodsky, Steven Wolk of The New Castle Sustainability Advisory Board, and shopping center owner Chris Santomero.. just to name a few,” said DeCicco. They have worked with us hand and hand throughout every detail, assuring us and the community that our newest DeCicco & Sons market will become a reality in Millwood.”

“Congratulations to the DeCicco family on opening its newest supermarket in Westchester County,” said Astorino. “Their commitment to quality, customer service, the community and the environment is a true recipe for success. I wish them all the best and thank them for their continued dedication to the people of Westchester.”

Commitment to the Schools

DeCicco expressed how impressed he is with the New Castle-Chappaqua-Millwood area: “DeCicco & Sons has a strong commitment to the school districts in every community we are a part of. We look forward to supporting the over 4200 students and their families who make up the three elementary schools, two middle schools and Horace Greeley High School in the area. We provide “Cashier Receipt Give-Back Programs” that accumulate a percentage of the receipts collected throughout the school year, then contributed back into the many educational and community programs that assist the students and their families. This is a huge part of what we believe in.”

Their benevolence has not gone unnoticed, as DeCicco & Sons continues to be acknowledged with significant awards, most recently, Westchester’s Best Family Run Business, The PTA Golden Oak Award, the Rotary Club’s 2015 Honorees, and the 2016 Pelham Civic Association’s Persons of the Year Award.

Green & Clean

“Green & Clean” technologies with the old world philosophy of Quality First, DeCicco & Sons has established itself as a visionary supermarket that stresses consistent quality of the food & service that they and their family have been known for over 40 years.

In addition to this year’s 2016 Best of Westchester’s “Best Gourmet Market,” this new DeCicco & Sons is one of the nation’s most energy-efficient, and cleanest & Greenest supermarkets. In fact, it has just achieved the EPA’s highest certification: The Platinum Level Green Chill Certification.

Remarkably, this area is only one facet of DeCicco & Sons’ magnificent shopping experience. It’s the unique, technological advancements that’s “behind the scenes” that makes this extraordinary new DeCicco & Sons supermarket, well, extraordinary.

Ensuring the Health of the Planet for Future Generations

According to John DeCicco, Jr., President of DeCicco & Sons, “Life is only important when it has an impact on the lives of others. So when it comes to the world we live in, our generation has to make a commitment to meet the energy challenges put before us and sustain a clean and healthy environment… for now, and for future generations. With our new DeCicco & Sons store in Larchmont, we have the opportunity to continue to provide our customers and employees with a new paradigm in the supermarket shopping experience: a store that incorporates intelligent, energy-efficiency and on-site clean, and green renewable energy, every minute, every day. At the same time, it will continue to be true to our Quality First brand by delivering the very best quality food and products, the very best selection, with the very best service”.

Technologically Advanced Heat Reclaiming Refrigeration System

This is only the third in the State, and the second of its kind in Westchester County. (the first being the DeCicco & Son in Larchmont) So advanced, this zero-ozone, state-of-the-art equipment will be the subject of a comprehensive case study being conducted by leading governmental scientific and engineering agencies.It systematically takes all of the wasted heat that’s generated from the refrigeration system and transfers it to reusable energy to power machines to chill water, and provide heat and hot water for the entire store! Simple, clean, reusable energy. cost efficient, and ultimately, less reliance on fossil fuels. Think of 80,000 less cars this year because of the CO2 emissions we save by using CO2 in place of HFC refrigerant. And also 120,000 more trees can live this year, thanks to our reduced carbon emissions.

“Technology Teamwork”… at work.

DeCicco continued,” I have learned that the successful solution for utmost energy efficiency is not doing only one thing, but doing many things … having all of the advancements and technologies working together as one… not individual or independent installations, but a multiple of components that feed off one another. So it’s a significant investment, but we firmly believe, a smart one with long lasting dividends for this generation and the ones to follow.”

Quality First – In More Ways Than One

As DeCicco explained, “Our brand mantra ‘Quality First’ extends far beyond our superior food products. It means caring for the environment and the communities we serve by supporting clean energy technologies. We have a “green philosophy” that includes protecting our environment with advanced, innovative energy solutions. The objective is to increase energy efficiency with renewable energy, and reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. The benefits the environment and our economy, and helps move our country toward a cleaner energy future.”

So DeCicco & Sons brings to Millwood a supermarket that includes their high level of taste and culinary knowledge… their “Quality First” brand and philosophy… and their leadership commitment to an intelligent, clean and safe environment. In other words, they’re re-writing the cookbook for all other supermarkets to follow! The new DeCicco & Sons Millwood will be located on the site of the former A&P in the Millwood Plaza, 230 Saw Mill River Rd, Millwood, NY 10546. For more information, visit our website at www.DeCiccoAndSons.com Also, be sure to follow us on our new Facebook page: facebook.com/deciccosmillwood

About DeCicco & Sons…

For over 40 years, DeCicco & Sons has a proud history of bringing the largest selection of high quality food available to customers with a personal, family touch. In addition to the finest meats, poultry, seafood, fish, fruits and vegetables, deli, bakery, pizza and sushi, they offer their famous Signature Series product line of homemade foods…one of New York’s largest selection of world-famous craft beers…and DeCicco & Sons Events & Cuisine to meet any size catering and event needs. They have stores located in Pelham, Harrison, Ardsley, Armonk, Brewster, Larchmont and now Millwood.

Residents and merchants alike have been clamoring for a new supermarket in Millwood Plaza ever since A & P declared bankruptcy and closed. The long anticipated wait though will soon be over. DeCicco & Sons., a family-owned supermarket business based in Westchester announced plans earlier this month to open in Millwood Plaza by this winter.

New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein said he anticipates a December grand opening date. Construction and demolition on the site was visible in July as the new owners began gutting the store and adding new refrigeration systems and environmentally-friendly features.

For months, local residents tried to persuade Trader Joe’s to take over the lease with a petition started on the Chappaqua Moms Facebook page. Greenstein and Town Board member Adam Brodsky played a pivotal role in getting DeCicco & Sons on board, working with Dodd Farber, owner of Dodd’s Liquor City which has been in the Millwood Plaza for 42 years.

Brodsky, who has a background in commercial real estate, conducted extensive market and demographic research along with Greenstein and other board members to identify a supermarket that would be a good fit for Millwood.

“We looked at affluence, population density and educational background within a five-mile radius. We found that Millwood has amazing demographics and so much potential, so much upside that it was an unidentified opportunity,” noted Brodsky. The proximity to Route 100 and the Taconic State Parkway was also a key benefit that “helped us advocate for why DeCicco’s should come here.”

Brodsky and Greenstein did identify other supermarkets such as Trader Joe’s and Balducci’s for the location as well. Overall, they were initially surprised at how responsive the supermarkets were to them. Brodsky said he then took that as “an opportunity to advocate for our community.” Dodd Farber is an Armonk resident who frequents the Armonk DeCicco’s. He approached the DeCicco family at their store in Armonk Square.

Farber felt strongly that the Millwood locale would be a “homerun” for a new DeCicco’s. He felt that the store could be a draw not only for New Castle residents but also ones from Ossining, Croton and Briarcliff. “DeCicco’s has high quality, good selection and great service at a fair price,” commented Farber. “One Sunday I decided to approach the DeCicco family in their store. I told them I have a business in Millwood and that it would be a great place for them to open.”

That Monday morning John DeCicco Jr. and Sr. walked into Dodd’s liquor store and asked [Dodd] if he had an hour. Farber took them around the area in his car and explained the local demographics. “When he [John DeCicco Sr.] got out of my car, he said I think we are going to try to go for it.”

Unique Offerings

DeCicco & Sons operates six other supermarkets in the area, including the Armonk Square location. “We will have similar offerings to our Armonk store and although that store is a little larger we are going to try to maximize the retail space that we have in Millwood,” noted John DeCicco Jr., who manages the Armonk store.

The store will feature a wide selection of produce, organic items, deli, seafood, meats, cheeses and other gourmet and specialty prepared items. Each store though has unique features and this location will incorporate their first sushi bar where customers can sit and watch the fish being prepared by chefs and then eat it on-site. Like the Armonk store but smaller in scope, the Millwood store will also feature a craft beer sampling area and an additional dining area.

Extensive interior renovations are already taking place. “The interior of the store will have a “New England/Nantucket/Cape Cod feel to it to blend into your downtown,” noted John DeCicco Jr. The store will have a new refrigeration system which will be HSF-free with no ozone-depleting materials in it.

If possible, DeCicco Jr. hopes to achieve GreenChill Platinum-level certification by the Environmental Protection Agency for the Millwood store. Their Larchmont store has it and they are currently renovating their Pelham location to obtain the certification. Only 18 supermarkets in the country have earned the GreenChill Platinum certification.

Residents are Ready!

Jon Brolin and his wife Tamara Brolin, nine-year residents of New Castle feel like having A & P closed has hurt the businesses in Millwood Plaza. Mrs. Brolin echoed the sentiments of several residents who now find themselves traveling further afield for grocery shopping. “DeCicco’s will be a big win for us because they have a lot of allergy-free products too which is important for my family,” noted Mrs. Brolin. “I’m very happy to have a high-quality supermarket so close to home. It will be great for the other merchants in this strip to have DeCicco’s as an anchor store,” added Mr. Brolin.

“I think DeCicco’s is going to be a great thing for Millwood and bring people to the area who haven’t been here before. I think it is going to transform and add a lot of value to Millwood,” summed up Brodsky.

Stacey Pfeffer lives with her husband and three young children in Chappaqua. She has written for New York Family Magazine, Kveller.com, Westchester Parent and Inside Armonk. She hopes to be at DeCicco’s on opening day in Millwood and sample some craft beers.

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